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Craniotomy forceps, Paris, France, 1801-1850

Craniotomy forceps were also known as cranioclasts. They were heavy toothed or ridged crushing instruments for breaking up the skull bones of a foetus. They were destructive tools. Cranioclasts were a last resort after the foetus was dead. The foetus may have died during the pregnancy or during a difficult labour. These are steel with ebony handles. They were made by Charrière, a Paris-based family of French surgical instrument makers.